THE Nigerian Consulate General in Johannesburg has reported the deaths of three more Nigerian citizens in South Africa following a wave of xenophobic attacks and other violent incidents involving Nigerians in the country.
News Point Nigeria reports that the three victims died in separate incidents across South Africa between September 18 and 21, according to a statement issued by the Nigerian Consulate General in Johannesburg.
In the statement, Ninikanwa Okey-Uche, Consul-General of Nigeria in Johannesburg, said the deaths involved Kenechukwu Christopher Igwemadu, Olaniyi Olaleye Olatunde and Christian Hillary Nnaemeka, whose cases occurred in Bloemfontein, Pretoria and Ekurhuleni respectively.
According to the Consul-General, Kenechukwu Christopher Igwemadu allegedly jumped to his death on September 18 while attempting to escape police harassment and brutality at Kenlin Court on Douglas Street, Central Business District (CBD), Bloemfontein.
The second death occurred on September 20 at the Spanata Bar and Grills Night Club in Mamelodi East, Pretoria.
Okey-Uche said Olaniyi Olaleye Olatunde, who worked as a security guard at the bar, was killed by an unidentified South African customer after he attempted to stop the man from leaving the club with a cup belonging to the facility.
“This resulted in an altercation and the South African pulled out his firearm and shot OLATUNDE in his lower body part, leading to a serious injury and profuse loss of blood,” the statement reads.
“Upon noticing the grievous harm done, the shooter immediately fled the scene.”
Okey-Uche said the shooter also reportedly threatened to kill any witnesses who attempted to identify him to the police.
Olatunde was rushed to the hospital but died the following morning.
The Consul-General said the third case involved Christian Hillary Nnaemeka, who died on September 21 following an alleged encounter with South African politician and investigative content creator Xolani Khumalo and members of his Sizok’thola team in Primrose, Ekurhuleni.
Nnaemeka was reportedly arrested and tortured by members of the team before he attempted to escape by jumping over a fence.
However, the Nigerian reportedly collapsed from exhaustion and injuries sustained during the incident and was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.
Khumalo, who is running for mayor of Ekurhuleni, had previously been accused of evading justice after his crew reportedly killed Emeza Uzor, another Nigerian, in February.
Okey-Uche said the reports of the incidents were deeply troubling and “continue to raise numerous questions over the safety of Nigerians and other foreigners in South Africa”.
“The recent deaths of the three (3) Nigerians, coming in quick succession, also raises questions about what seems to be a pattern of targeting Nigerians in South Africa,” the Consul-General added.
Early this month, two Nigerians were reported killed in xenophobic attacks against foreigners in South Africa.
The reports came two months after two Nigerians were killed amid renewed anti-migrant tensions in the country.
Okey-Uche urged South African authorities to investigate the deaths and take the necessary steps to establish the circumstances surrounding each incident.
She also appealed to Nigerians in South Africa to refrain from violence and remain security conscious.